TO: BENTON COMMUNITY BOARD OF EDUCATION
FROM: DR. PAMELA EWELL, SUPERINTENDENT
RE: SPECIAL MEETING, WORK SESSION
TIME: MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022, 5:30 P.M.
SPECIAL MEETING, WORK SESSION
PLACE: Central Office – Board room
304 1st Street
Van Horne, Iowa 52346
SPECIAL SESSION
- CALL to ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Roy Becker at 5:36 p.m. Directors in Attendance: Directors Becker, Ludeking, Nolte, Phillips, Thompson, Upah and Werning. Also in attendance: Dr. Ewell and Dr. Bieschke, Anna Selk, Rob Arnold - DELEGATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, CONSIDERATIONS OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR THE AGENDA
None - ACTION ITEM #1 – APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Thompson, second by Upah to approve the agenda as presented.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #2 – DOOR AND WINDOW – ATKINS
Additional space is needed at Atkins Elementary. Adding a door and window to an interior room will provide instructional and meeting space. Motion by Nolte, second by Ludeking to approve adding a door and window at Atkins.
a. Quote to install a door opening and window
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #3 – DISPOSAL/SALE OF OBSOLETE ITEMS
As per board policy 803.1, we have some items to sell. A few items are over the $5,000 value and as per board policy will require a board hearing. Items under this value will require board approval and advertised in a local area newspaper for 2 consecutive weeks.
Motion by Thompson, second by Upah to approve the sale (sealed bid process) and/or disposal of school items as presented.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #4 – SET HEARING DATE FOR SALE OF SCHOOL ITEMS
Items valued over $5,000. Hearing will take place at the start of the July 20th school board meeting, 6:00 p.m. Board room, 304 1st Street, Van Horne, IA.
Motion by Nolte, second by Werning to approve setting the date for the hearing to sell school items/vehicles for July 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. - ACTION ITEM #5 – TANAGER – BHIS EMPLOYEE
We have an opportunity to partner with Tanager for a BHIS (Behavioral Health Intervention Services) employee. The BHIS employee would work in all of our buildings and provide support and resources for our students and families. This employee is also trained for in-home visits, resources for families, behavioral changes, and strategies for students who need this support. Tanager will hold the contract.
Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to approve the partnership with Tanager to provide a Behavioral Health Intervention Services employee for our school district.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #6 – WAMAC CONFERENCE
Discussion was held regarding upcoming Iowa Department of Education mediation by Waverly-Shell Rock with the Wamac conference schools and legal counsel. Motion by Phillips, second by Thompson to utilize district funds towards attorney fees for the upcoming Iowa Department of Education scheduled mediation of the Wamac Conference and Waverly-Shell Rock.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #7 – HIRES – PERSONNEL
Motion by Nolte, second by Ludeking to approve the hires listed.
*ALL HIRES ARE CONTINGENT ON BACKGROUND CHECK, PROPER LICENSING AND RELEASE FROM CURRENT CONTRACT IF APPLICABLE
a. Candice Mitchell – Teacher – assigned to AK (Alternative Kindergarten) teacher – Atkins
b. Transfer – Cynda Mehlert – from AK to Special Education – Atkins
c. Abby Swiatly – Teacher – assigned to 4th – Norway Intermediate
d. Ethan Kaiser – Teacher – assigned to 5th grade – Norway Intermediate
e. Kyle Kohlsrud – Assistant Robotics Sponsor – MOU
f. Alyssa Schmuecker – Fall Musical Vocal Assistant
g. Chris Chapman – Assistant Varsity Football
h. Chris Chapman – Head Girls Middle School Track
i. Ryan Nueberger – Assistant Varsity Football
j. Jeff Zittergruen – Weight Room Coordinator
k. Ashley Huebner – Food Service
l. Riley Pfiffner – Assistant Varsity Football
m. Lorrie Towle, Bus Stop Supervisor, Van Horne, PM
n. Lucas Scott – Bus Driver
o. Jami Hall, Special Ed. Associate MS/HS
p. Jordan Myers, Substitute Food Service Worker
q. TRANSFERS
r. Thomas Trainer – From Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball to Head Freshman Boys Basketball
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #8 – RESIGNATIONS
a. Emily Trumpold – Teacher, Norway Intermediate Center
i. Pending suitable replacement
Motion by Nolte, second by Upah to approve Emily Trumpold’s resignation if suitable replacement is found.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE - ACTION ITEM #9 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Nolte, second by Thompson to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED ALL MEMBERS PRESENT VOTING AYE
Special Board Meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Work Session – July 11, 2022
Handbooks were given to Board Members for their review prior to the July 20 Board Meeting: Some revisions continue until the July 20 board meeting. - FY’23 HANDBOOKS
a. MS/HS Student Handbook
b. Elementary Student Handbook 22-23
c. Elementary Curriculum Manual 22-23
d. Secondary Curriculum Manual 22-23
e. 2022-2023 All Employee Handbook
f. Activities Handbook - FACILITIES MASTER PLAN
Began at 6:06 p.m.
i. Review norms
ii. Use “Norm” when necessary
iii. Review strategies for consensus building
iv. REVIEW FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS AS PER BOARD REQUEST
● CONSENSUS-building
● Next steps
Discussion was held regarding the facility improvement options. - MEETING DATES
Discussion was held on board meeting dates and the possibility of meeting on the first OR last Wednesday of the month. Possible other meeting dates besides Regular meetings:
a. Aug. 24 – 6:00 p.m., Work Session
b. Sept. 28, 6:00 p.m., Work Session
c. Oct. 26, 6:00 p.m., Work Session
d. Nov. 2, 6:00 p.m., Work Session
Work session ended at 7:01 p.m.
Jim Magdefrau 